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Opinion: Data center legislation could inadvertently hurt biomedical research
In This Article
NewYorkBIO respectfully urges Governor Hochul to veto the legislation and work with stakeholders to develop a more targeted approach that does not inadvertently impact biomedical research. This is not a debate about whether New York should have policies governing large commercial data centers, it is about ensuring that legislation intended for one purpose does not accidentally capture something entirely different. The advanced computing infrastructure that powers life science research and manufacturing is one that should be protected.
The Big Picture
As written, the legislation defines regulated facilities broadly enough that research campuses and manufacturing sites could be swept into the requirements simply because of the computing capacity they require. For example, facilities exceeding a one-megawatt electricity threshold could fall within the scope of the bill, even when their primary function is scientific research or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
These unintended consequences extend well beyond the life science industry. It has implications for New York’s research enterprise, innovation economy, and ultimately for the patients who are waiting for the next generation of therapies.The solution is to refine the legislation so that it clearly distinguishes commercial data centers from research laboratories and life science manufacturing facilities.
